The Shift Speakers' Bureau is a bank of people who have mental health problems and who want to speak out about their experiences to the media and at public events.

There are over fifty members of the Shift Speakers' Bureau and they come from a wide range of backgrounds. The pen pictures below show just some of the many different and extraordinary stories they offer.

If you’re looking for a mental health case study or for a conference speaker, please visit the bureau's new home on the Mental Health Foundation's website

Chris, 49, is a writer and broadcaster on mental health issues. His bipolar 1 disorder led to him leave his job as a deputy headteacher in 1997.

Chris has been keeping an audio diary for BBC Radio 4's You and Yours. Find out more.

Julian is 41 and lives in Wigston Harcourt, Leicestershire. He has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. He is married with four children and works full time in the public sector.

Liz, 39, lives in Chelmsford and works full time.

Liz was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in 2003.

Waheda, 29, is from Preston. She cares for her brother who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1996 and sister who has post-natal depression. She also looks after her sister’s child when she is in hospital.

Waheda works full time and also undertakes a range of voluntary work to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Dolly, 39, lives in Eastbourne and has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Dolly is an artist and published writer and is studying for a degree in film and video.

Watch a video of Dolly talking to the Eastbourne Herald about her experiences

Paul is 57 and lives near Portsmouth, Hampshire. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Paul is also a victim of sustained ritual and sexual abuse. He is a director with a leisure company and is studying for a part-time MA in creative writing. He is married with children.

Yasmin is 38 and lives in Wokingham, Berkshire. She has been diagnosed with depression and has had to take a long break from her career. She is now back in full-time work.

Debbie is 49 and lives in Kendal, Cumbria. She has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Debbie is a service user research at Lancaster University, where she researches bipolar disorder.

Devon, 52, is from London. He has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Devon works in the public sector on an occasional basis. He is Chair of two local mental health organisations.

Paul, 51, is from Gateshead. Paul has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, severe depression and anxiety. He is a voluntary campaigner in the mental health field.

See a videocast recorded by Paul
Paul talked to Ruby Wax as part of the BBC's Headroom series

Jo, 45, is from Liverpool. She developed a mental health condition after being drugged on holiday which led her to hear voices. Jo is a volunteer with an autism charity.

David, 43, lives in Lincolnshire. David has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). He has gained a number of qualifications and works in the public sector. David has three children.

Jackie is 45 and lives in Newbury, Berkshire. Jackie has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She is Chair of Berkshire Mental Health User Group and undertakes occasional work as an Associate Mental Health Act Manager.

Richard, 34, is a freelance journalist and author. In 1999 he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He lives in Dorset with his wife. Richard has a degree in maritime business and an MA in broadcast journalism.

Penny is 44 and lives in Nottingham. She has experienced depression, panic attacks and extreme anxiety resulting from allergic reactions to mis-prescribed psychiatric medications. Penny has a number of qualifications.

Margot is 63 and lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and depersonalisation disorder. She is very active undertaking voluntary and paid work in the mental health sector.

Mandy, 50, is from Shropshire. She has been diagnosed with depression. Mandy has two children and works for a housing association.

Lol is 49, and lives in Guisborough. He has been a mental health professional for 25 years and has personal experience of depression. Lol is married with a son and daughter.

Julia is 53 and lives in Tonbridge, Kent. She has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and psychosis. She has completed two courses in fine art and has just started a degree in this subject.

Liz is 32 and lives in Leicester, where she works as a GP. Liz has experience of depression since she was a teenager.

David is 51 and lives in Plymouth. He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder. He works in the construction industry.

Clare is 51 and lives in West Sussex. Over the years, she has been diagnosed with various mental health conditions. Clare is employed with a mental health organisation. Clare is a mother and cares for her husband.

Anita, 52, from Sheffield has been a carer for 22 years and is a regional and national care expert. She has three children and has personal experience of depression.

Andrew, 59, lives in Bexhill, East Sussex. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1975. Andrew creates digital art and is an active mental health volunteer.

Marian, from a small town near Durham, is in her late 60s and is a wife, mother and grandmother. In 2006, after years of being unwell, Marian was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Marian regularly gives talks around the country about mental health issues and runs her own wellbeing consultancy.

Yvonne is 48 and lives in south London. She has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and is employed full time.